with leader, mistake 2nd, soon lost place, mistake next, in rear before halfway, tailed off 5 out
held up in rear, driven when mistake 5th, soon detached, tailed off 5 out
keen, prominent, mistake 7th, effort after 3 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, blundered last, no extra closing stages
made all, ridden clear approaching last, easily
in touch, chased leaders halfway, under pressure after 4 out, soon no impression, pulled up after 2 out
held up in rear, reminders and headway approaching 7th, ridden 3 out, stayed on into 2nd, no chance with winner
Donna's Diamond sprang a surprise in this last year but was later behind YANWORTH in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. Alan King’s classy nine-year-old hasn’t raced since but is easily the best of these if anywhere near ready. Clyne was a little below par over a shorter trip last time at Cheltenham but will expose any ring-rustiness in the selection. Shades Of Midnight had Donna's Diamond well beaten when winning over fences at Kelso but looks vulnerable back over hurdles. Petticoat Tails has been struggling to get her head in front in lesser contests.
Donna's Diamond (IRE) 9-4 (11-6) Led narrowly to 2nd, pressed leader, reminder after 8th, lost place before 10th, blundered 5 out, soon lost touch, continued tailed off, last of 3, dist behind Shades Of Midnight (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f (3) gd in Dec.
Man Of Plenty 40-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, plugged on from 2 out, kept on run-in, never nearer, 6th of 16, 12 1/4l behind Lord Napier (10-8) at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (1) sft in Feb.
Clyne 9-2 (11-0) Pressed leader, led after 2nd, headed 4th, led next, headed 3 out, soon led again, headed, bumped and mistake 2 out, beaten after, well held 4th when jumped left last, 5th of 6, 7 1/2l behind Midnight Shadow (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Jan.
Kilcooley (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) In touch, pressed leader from 4th, lost place when blundered 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next, at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Shades Of Midnight 8-13fav (11-0) Tracked rival pair, blundered and rider lost iron briefly 7th, went 2nd before 10th, challenged after 5 out, slightly outpaced before 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to lead before last, in command flat, won at Kelso 2m 6f (3) gd in Dec beating Castletown (11-0) by 10l, 3 ran.
Yanworth 6-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2 out, every chance on last bend, not pace of leaders flat, no extra towards finish, 6th of 15, 6 3/4l behind Penhill (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Mar.
Petticoat Tails 7-1 (11-0) Led, went clear after 2nd, reduced lead 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, lost 2nd between last 2, dropped to 4th near finish, 4th of 6, 4 3/4l behind Magic Of Light (11-0) at Ascot 3m (1) gs in Jan.
